Rookie Stringer Hybrid Question

sfoster1982

New User
I recently bought a stringing machine and have started experimenting with different setups. I'd like to test a couple of different hybrid options but initially sticking with the same poly in the mains and swapping out the crosses. Can I safely cut out just the crosses and keep the mains and then add new crosses or do I always need to replace mains and crosses together? Thanks for the help.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Your frame so you can do whatever you want. Problem with replacing cross only is two fold. One is unknown tension in mains when you do this. Two is finding tie offs for crosses since you may need to enlarge holes for new tie off points.
 

Wes

Hall of Fame
@sfoster1982,

As @esgee48 mentioned, it's your frame - you can do whatever you like. He's also correct regarding the (now) unknown tension remaining in the main strings.

However, I don't really agree with the second part of his statement. Once you have removed all of the cross strings (and, of course, the cross knots), you shouldn't have any trouble finding tie-off locations for the "replacement" crosses.
At that point, you should have 4 tie-off locations available once again (regardless of whether you previously tied off onto mains or crosses).
Those locations should be... the same 2 locations where your cross knots were previously located, as well as the exact same locations on the opposite side of the frame (unless your racquet has an asymmetrical design [meaning the crosses need to be installed in a specific direction]).
Example: If your top cross had been at 5H and your bottom cross had been at 6T, you should then have 5HL, 5HR, 6TL & 6TR available.
Therefore, there's really no need to enlarge any grommets.

Just to be clear... I do NOT advocate replacing only crosses. However, IF you are determined to do this, make sure you understand the forces involved & properly mount the frame before proceeding.
Cutting out all of the crosses, without first having the frame mounted, stands a good chance of damaging your frame.

I made the following video specifically for people who ask this very question (since this topic tends to come up from time to time).


Cheers, Wes
 
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Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Your frame so you can do whatever you want. Problem with replacing cross only is two fold. One is unknown tension in mains when you do this. Two is finding tie offs for crosses since you may need to enlarge holes for new tie off points.
If your crosses are tied to mains it may be difficult to get the tied off end out. But you could also use the same grommet tie offs on the opposite side of the frame. If the crosses are tied to crosses there is no issue.

@sfoster1982 I would not replace mains or crosses only but you can do it. Of course if the crosses are tied to mains you can’t replace mains only. If you testing different hybrid setups don’t you think it would be a better comparison if both the mains and crosses were replaced?
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
I also don’t think it is a good idea to enlarge grommets for tying off. The the grommet expands it gets thinner and the knot will damage it faster. But many rackets have large enough grommet holes so you don’t need to enlarge the grommet to tie off crosses to crosses. For example:
 

stapletonj

Hall of Fame
I am the dumbest, most ham fisted, non certified stringer on the boards.
I had my poly go dead in a gut poly hybrid
I, with great trepidation, clamped down my stick in the machine nice and tight (6 point).
cut out the crosses and replaced them.
Tied off the top at the opposite side main, and the bottom tied off on a cross anyway.

My perceived tension in the mains increased significantly and the crosses are doing their poly job...
So far so good!
 
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